No Rhrosty, I was watching the radar picture, which showed the eye most distinctly. In fact I have never seen a radar show such a distinct eye previously. You could even see the coastline in the eye as it crossed.

Incidentally you had best have words with the UN. Their UN GDACS alerts page warning calls it a cat 3 cyclone. This may be one of the few occasions when the UN actually told the truth about something.

If you want to see the truth, pull up some pictures of Darwin after it's cat 4 blow, & then some of Yeppoon now. That will definitely convince any fair minded person of the truth that this is a con job. They have relied on their useless computer projections, & now will not admit, as the US navy have, that the computer projections were simply very wrong.

Thanks to Ms Marohasy for persistently answering AGW hype with actual truth, meticulously set out in the form of numerical data. Strength to her elbow. Graham Young has rightly pointed out that ideology it is subject to contradiction when it strays from factual truth. (He also had some home truths about the standard of debate among commenters). Ideology said Category 5, truth said Category 2 or less. Which to choose is a no-brainer.

Jennifer knows what's she is talking about and researches her work really well.

This scare mongering about climate is all about getting the ETS under way. This will just be another tax on business so the share market can trade in another derivative.

To operate any business you will have to buy carbon credits. This cost will be passed down to the consumer. The bigger companies that have more capital will be able to afford to buy the most while the smaller ones go broke. Central Bankers who have interests in these big corporations will favour them with cheaper loans as in the past.

This is why the 0.01 % own so much.It is not because they are exceptionally productive but because they can create money from nothing as debt. As George Carlin used to say, "It's a big club and you ain't in it."

Graham, I do not live in Queensland, but did see newsflashes which are consistent with what was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald; i.e. that wind speeds in excess of 280 km/h were recorded prior to landfall.

Cyclones dissipate on reaching land; but by how much seems to be unknown. They maintain top strength for about 24 hours though it can be longer. Cyclones can decay quite rapidly if they reach geographic areas or atmospheric conditions unfavourable to maintaining their strength. Compliments of Mr Google.

With the initial strength of Cyclone Marcia, what kind of information should authorities have provided?

On reaching land Cyclone Marcia was not as powerful as predicted; nevertheless, many homes were destroyed. In such a circumstance it is academic whether a storm might be category 2, or 3. The important matter is to help people rebuild their lives as quickly as possible and repair infrastructure.

Quote from Sydney Morning Herald:
"Cyclone Marcia, meanwhile, has recorded wind speeds of as much as 285km/h, with sustained winds of 205km/h...."

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/cyclone-lam-and-cyclone-marcia-twin-severe-storms-a-first-for-australia-20150220-13jycu.html

Where did they get the wind speeds from Ant? You are dodging the issue. You need to do some research instead of relying on secondary sources. And research would have shown you that Middle Percy Island is well offshore. https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Middle+Island,+The+Percy+Group+QLD+4707/@-21.6497515,150.2724943,6z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x6bdc40e46646f849:0xef79461c97e77aed

WTF?
ant,

You might not live in Queensland but you do seem to have a better understanding of the real impact of cyclones then other commentators.

In the days, weeks and months after a cyclone there are hundreds and thousands of stories told by people about their experiences.
The community develops a shared experience and understanding of the event.

Few people, if any, really end up caring about what category the cyclone is given when all the data is finally analysed.
You are right ant, it is purely academic.

Few people really care about the highest wind speed recorded. If your roof peels back in 150km/h winds after it is hit by a flying branch this is no less significant than a porcelain toilet bowl coming through your roof in 250km/h winds.
The damage will be severe and the experience truly frightening for adults as well as the children they may be trying to keep safe.
The wind speed is purely academic.

Before cyclone Yasi some residents and their guests refused all the advice offered to them to leave their Port Hinchinbrook home. As the cyclone come closer to the coast and before landfall they sent out a distress call to the emergency services pleading that someone come and take them to a safer location. By that time it was far too dangerous for the police or SES personal to venture out. They were isolated.

I will take the advice of the BOM, police and SES over the bravado and arrogance of those who think they know better every time.